31 Signs That Prove You're A Vietnamese American
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

31 Signs That Prove You're A Vietnamese-American

Just Viets being Viets, adapting to the American life in their own unique way.

3446
31 Signs That Prove You're A Vietnamese-American
Jenny Lam

Congratulations! You've been blessed with a family who escaped from the Vietnam war in search for a better life.

1. ​There was always thit kho waiting for you on the stove when you got home from school.

c1.staticflickr.com

And a pot of freshly cooked rice. Thanks mom.

2. Your parents have a whole karaoke set-up in the living room with gigantic speakers.

c1.staticflickr.com

Our neighbors don't really like us during the holidays. Sucks to be them, because we aren't stopping any time soon.

3. You played (or still play) GaiaOnline, Maple Story and League of Legends.

c1.staticflickr.com

Your siblings and/or cousins also plays with you.

4. Your parents forced you to play the violin, piano or some type of fancy instrument.

upload.wikimedia.org

However, they probably never showed up to any of your recitals or concerts.

5. You were really into the early Asian Youtubers like MyChonny, NigaHiga and KevJumba.

Giphy

I was also really into Michelle Phan and Bubzbeauty's makeup tutorials.

6. One of your family members own a hair or nail salon, maybe even both.

Jenny Lam

I have very fond memories of growing up in my parent's nail salon. It was basically my second home.

7. You have vivid memories of early Viet music like "Ong Xa Em Number One," "Vang Trang Khoc" and "Anh Number One Dep Trai"

This song has been stuck in my head ever since I heard my cousin sing it about 13 years ago.

8. At the buffet, you must eat the expensive food like crawfish, crab and lobster.

Jenny Lam

$25 for a person? You bet my mom made us get our money's worth. Peep the whole tub of crawfish my aunt managed to snatched from the buffet.

9. Someone in your family goes to the casino way too often.

upload.wikimedia.org

They often claim they're going to see a "concert," but we all know what's really going on.

10. Your parents probably have a collection of Paris By Night and Asia DVDs.

Jenny Lam

And they forced you to watch it, whether you wanted to or not.

11. Your mom and aunts are obsessed with Nike, especially when they're on sale.

upload.wikimedia.org

Nike shoes, Nike shirts, Nike backpack, basically Nike everything so they can take it all to Vietnam to give your other relatives.

12. You've vacationed in California, specifically Disneyland or Universal Studios.

c1.staticflickr.com

It's like the number one thing on our check list when coming to America. Like do you even live here if you haven't been to California? To visit the happiest place on earth cost only $117 per person.

13. You were or wanted to a B-boy/B-girl.

Giphy

The Poreotics? I.aM.mE? Chachi Gonzales? My childhood.

14. Your family only drinks Heineken and/or Corona.

Jenny Lam

And if it was a cocktail it would be margaritas.

15. The typical Vietnamese birthday cake.

Jenny Lam

It's probably durian filling too.

16. At some point, you were forced to go to Viet school.

And you probably were forced to participate in the lion and Tet dances.

17. When desperate time calls, MAMA instant noodles could be eaten dry or cooked.

Jenny Lam

When your mom and dad are at work and you have to feed your cousins and/or siblings...

18. Banh mi is always the road trip food.

c1.staticflickr.com

And your mom knew exactly where to buy the good banh mi.

19. If you live in Washington, Joy Palace and China Harbor are the ideal wedding venues.

Jenny Lam

We always have to leave with something, often times we take the flowers because it's free... duh!

20. You get sniffed instead of kissed by your parents and grandparents.

Giphy

My dad pats the top of my head too.

21. Tet is extremely important and there's always a big party with lots of food and karaoke.

Jenny Lam

If you're not married or still in school, it's a nice little pay-day.

22. You have been to Vietnam at least once and your mom or grandma made you take professional pictures.

Jenny Lam

They got it all framed and its probably up in the living room at your house or your grandparent's house.

23. You been known avocados are bomb because of the avocado smoothies your parents made with crushed ice and condensed milk.

Giphy

I would always drown mine in condensed milk.

24. The dishwasher is forbidden to use, it acts purely as a drying rack or storage.

c1.staticflickr.com

Apparently it takes up too much electricity and water to use.

25. We definitely do not wear shoes in the house.

c1.staticflickr.com

Have fun tripping over the massive pile of shoes.

26. Your mom, aunt and/or grandma grows mint leaves in the front yard or backyard.

Jenny Lam

Mint leaves, tomatoes, garlic, onions just about anything and everything they can get their hands on!

27. You probably have a Honda or a Toyota.

upload.wikimedia.org

We trust the Japanese.

28. Your dad or uncle made you watch Rush Hour.

img00.deviantart.net

Yes, my dad made me watch Rush hour 1, 2 and 3 - I'm honestly not even mad.

29. Your family has Sony or Samsung TVs because those are the superior brands.

upload.wikimedia.org

We also all have iPhones. Ask any Vietnamese-American you know.

30. Your parents told you that they found in a dumpster.

Giphy

And your aunts and uncles went along with it.

31. Trish Thuy Trang was the Vietnamese Beyonce

Trish Thuy Trang and Cardin Nguyen were the power couple way before Jay-Z and Beyonce or Kayne and Kim.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

65460
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

42400
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

964999
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments